How an open relationship can backfire on you

An open relationship can be deeply rewarding. But it can be a nightmare too. To put it simply, an open relationship is one where both partners in a committed relationship can consensually have sexual relations with others. The operative word here is, of course, consent. But if some boundaries are crossed, an open relationship can backfire on its practitioners. Here's how it can give you a world of pain:

Green-eyed mischiefAlthough both partners have agreed to an open relationship, jealousy can still wreak havoc. For instance, if a partner is seeing other people and the other half is deprived of companionship. So if jealousy rears its ugly head in such a situation, complications are bound to follow.

Suspicious mindThere can be severe trust issues. Since any of the partners can form intimate attachments outside their core relationship, the other partner may find it difficult to confide in his or her primary partner. Suspicion and distrust cannot possibly lead to any healthy open relationship.

Change of mindA partner may initially agree to an open relationship. But later he or she may think that this is something he or she wouldn't want to continue with. In fact, such an arrangement becomes an everyday struggle for him or her.

External threatIf any of the attachments grows stronger for a partner, it can start to tear asunder the very fabric of the primary relationship. In such a situation, the other partner can start feeling shortchanged.

Failure of no-restriction policyIf boundaries are not set, an open relationship can get chaotic and more complicated than it should be. For instance, there can be trouble in the paradise if a partner in the primary relationship decides that there can be no restrictions on the number of attachments one has.